Meditate

Meditation on Scripture seems to be a lost process in the Christian community. It has been replaced with forms of media which allow people to put their minds in neutral and just be entertained. But, that is not what God directs His people to do.

Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, is an example of the older women teaching the younger to love their husbands.

In the end God preserved Samson, graciously allowing him to fulfill his calling as a judge. By the renewed strength of the Holy Spirit, through repentance and faith, Samson sacrificed himself in order to destroy Israel’s enemies. Through the sins of Samson, God’s Word presents examples of what to avoid. It also pleased God to present Samson’s greatest victory at his death as a picture of the victory of the sinless Messiah, Jesus Christ, over death itself.

Parents should teach their children the works and wonders of God so that they will in turn instruct their children in the ways of God (Psalm 78:1-11). Fathers are instructed to bring up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

The goal of education, God’s way, is to train children in God’s Word so that they can govern themselves, be wiser than their enemies, have more understanding than their teachers (Psalm 119:97-101).

The God of Abraham, who created Ruth, also provided for her redemption through her kinsman redeemer Boaz. He (Boaz), whose name means strength, is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ who redeems God’s people out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, is an example of the older women teaching the younger to love their husbands (Titus 2:3-5). Truly, Ruth is an excellent example of a help-mate created, redeemed, and sanctified for man’s good and God’s glory.

So, rejoice and enjoy Ruth’s testimony – because He Who began a good work in you will see it to completion (Philippians 1:6).

Meditate on God’s Word day and night. Observe to do all that is written therein. You will prosper!

"Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God"
(Deuteronomy 12:26-28).

It also pleased God to present Samson’s greatest victory at his death as a picture of the victory of the sinless Messiah, Jesus Christ, over death itself.

Click the image below and download this daily reading guide to keep track.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

 Joshua 1:8 contains one of the most encouraging verses of Scripture as God speaks to Joshua and gives him a Kingdom principle: "This book of the law shall depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Webster’s dictionary defines meditation as: "to think or reflect upon; to contemplate deeply and continuously." The psalmist, in Psalm 1:2, speaking of man blessed by God, states: "but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night."

The goal of education, God’s way, is to train children in God’s Word so that they can govern themselves.

Blessings & Cursings

In today’s society, much emphasis is placed upon freedom – doing whatever you want whenever you want. In light of this month’s reading in Deuteronomy, such a concept should be foreign to a child of God. On one hand, God assures us of blessings which will overtake us: "if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today" (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).

Teach the Children

In Deuteronomy, the first book of March’s reading of Scripture, God stresses the responsibility of parents for their children. In the 4th chapter of Deuteronomy, Moses commands Israel to "keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you" (verse 2) and to "teach them to your children and your grandchildren" (verse 9). Moses stresses this theme again in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and 11:18-21.

Some use Sunday to catch up on Bible reading missed during the week. Others prefer to double up on their reading on Saturday in order to set aside the Sabbath for church and fellowship. Either way, if you consistently read Scripture in the 15 or 20 minute increments shown above for an entire year, you will read all of Scripture in just one year.

As the believer makes the com-mitment to daily, yearly reading through God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, he begins to fill his heart with those things upon which God would have His people meditate. As Jesus said, "for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).

It is the Word of God which should especially engage the Christian mind, consisting of deliberate reflection upon its spiritual truths, principles and patterns, statutes and commandments. David, in Psalm 119:97, defined the pattern for every one of God’s people: "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day."

On the other hand, God also assures us of curses which will overtake us "if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today" (Deuteronomy 28:15).

Scripture lays out the laws that God requires His children to obey as well as the results of obedience and disobedience. This principle remains unchanged, no matter what modern man may think: "Not everyone says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

"for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks"

Samson

Unlike the cartoon super-heroes of Saturday mornings, the Bible portrays men as they really are: weak in the flesh and strong only by the help of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the book of Judges presents Samson: dedicated to God as a Nazarite, endowed with extraordinary physical strength by the Holy Spirit, and given a special office as a judge in Israel and an avenger of her enemies.

Although the New Testament book of Hebrews (chapter 11) lists Samson with others receiving commendation for their great faith in God, the Old Testament book of Judges (chapters 13 to 16) seems to paint a different picture of the man. The Old Testament record shows us a man of great physical prowess compromised by sinful lust. Whereas Scripture frequently warns men to "flee youthful lusts," Samson indulged the desires of his heart. Harlots proved to be his downfall, just as it says in Proverbs 7:26, "For she has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men."

March

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Story of Ruth

Ladies! Did you ever wonder why the first book in the Bible that bears a woman’s name is Ruth? And, Ruth was a Moabitess, not an Israelite at that! Rejoice! The story of Ruth testifies of God Himself Who chooses (Exodus 33:13b, Romans 9:11). God chose Ruth from a heathen nation to become the great-grandmother of King David; and hence, she is forever remembered in the genealogy of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).